[06/15/12 - 09:50 AM]USA Network Reveals the Origins of Michael and Fiona's Love Story in "Burn Notice: First Contact""It's a tale I've wanted to tell for a long time and I think the comic book is a really great way to do that," said Matt Nix.

[via press release from USA]

USA NETWORK REVEALS THE ORIGINS OF MICHAEL AND FIONA'S LOVE STORY IN "BURN NOTICE: FIRST CONTACT"

Volume Three of the Award-Winning BURN NOTICE Comic Book Series Broadens the Storytelling Experience with More Interactivity and Engaging Content - Season Six Airs Thursdays at 9/8c

NEW YORK - June 15, 2012 - USA Network, the top entertainment brand and pioneer in Social TV, in partnership with DC Entertainment, announces volume three, BURN NOTICE: First Contact, which reveals the mysterious story of how of Michael and Fiona first met. Every Thursday for 10 weeks, starting with a double issue on June 14, viewers can dive into this gripping romance, which was written by the creative team behind the show, including series creator Matt Nix. This third volume is available on usanetwork.com, Facebook and as a freestanding iOS and Android App on select devices.

"In many ways Michael & Fiona's relationship is one of the most compelling stories of the BURN NOTICE mythology. With the stakes of their relationship as high as they are in season six, I think this is the perfect time to tell how that story began," said Matt Nix, creator and executive producer, BURN NOTICE. "It's a tale I've wanted to tell for a long time and I think the comic book is a really great way to do that. I can't wait to share it with fans."

BURN NOTICE: First Contact offers fans multiple ways to engage with the storyline, characters, and creative elements, which include custom covers throughout the season. As with the first two volumes, DC Entertainment's artist Tony Shasteen is returning as lead artist. The mobile app, created in conjunction with Panelfly, powers exclusive parallax covers that allow fans to see the cover art shift and move as they tilt their devices. Furthermore, each chapter's art can be "peeled back" to reveal all three layers of pencil sketches, inks, and colors. Fans on the app can also connect to Burn Wire for the latest show news and video, and to Character Chatter, USA's real-time destination for socializing around BURN NOTICE.

"Using the digital realm to reveal a prequel storyline to our fans enables us to broaden our creative canvas by exploring the past and showing our characters in destinations outside of the weekly Miami setting," said Jesse Redniss, SVP, digital, USA. "We are continuing our work with innovative partners to create best-in-class transmedia experiences to involve our fans more deeply across multiple platforms."

Volume three BURN NOTICE: First Contact picks up at the end of season five which closed with Fiona turning herself in to the FBI for her involvement in a local bombing. As Michael recounts the past, fans can flash back to 2003 to their first meeting which would set underway a life-long, explosive dynamic between the two. Even though their initial contact was anything but amicable, it was Fiona's help that allowed Michael to take an enemy down in Dublin.

The first volume of BURN NOTICE: A New Day was awarded the 2011 AdAge Media Vanguard Award for Broadcast-to-Digital/Most Innovative Broadcast Brand Extension. In addition to working with DC Entertainment, USA teamed with Panelfly, who built the mobile applications and created the parallax features integrated with all of the cover art in volume 3.

Last season left Michael in turmoil after his long-time on-again/off-again girlfriend and love of his life, Fiona Glennane (Gabrielle Anwar, "The Tudors"), turned herself in to the FBI on charges of terrorism in order to save him from an extreme case of blackmail. With Fiona in federal custody, Michael's emotions and nerves hit maximum capacity as he and his crew, ex-navy seal Sam Axe (Bruce Campbell, "Evil Dead") and burned counterintelligence expert Jesse Porter (Coby Bell, "The Game"), must band together to hunt down Anson (guest star Jere Burns) and rescue Fiona. Meanwhile, Michael's mother Madeline (two-time Emmy Award-winner Sharon Gless, "Nip/Tuck") remains the no-nonsense voice of reason for the gang. Exciting guest stars this season include John C. McGinley ("Scrubs"), Lauren Stamile ("Community"), Seth Peterson ("Providence"), Kristanna Loken ("Terminator 3") and Faran Tahir ("Ironman").

BURN NOTICE was created, written and executive produced by Matt Nix ("The Good Guys", "Chasing Vermeer"). Mikkel Bondesen ("Catch That Kid") and Alfredo Barrios ("Justice") also serve as executive producers. The series comes from Fox Television Studios and Fuse Entertainment.

The #1 network in all of basic cable, USA Network is seen in 115 million U.S. homes. USA is a leader in scripted programming with a powerful stable of originals including POLITICAL ANIMALS, SUITS, NECESSARY ROUGHNESS, WHITE COLLAR, ROYAL PAINS, BURN NOTICE, PSYCH, COVERT AFFAIRS, COMMON LAW, and FAIRLY LEGAL. The network offers 52 weeks of spectacular live television with WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW and is home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, a broad portfolio of acquired series and entertainment events. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. The award-winning website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.